Gastroenterology
A colonoscopy is an exam of your colon and rectum. During a colonoscopy procedure, your GI doctor, or gastroenterologist, can remove suspicious tissue or polyps (lumps). Your physician uses a long, thin tube with a camera on the end (colonoscope) to see the inside of your body. Your doctor will check for:
Cancer in your colon or rectum is the second leading cause of cancer death in America. It’s also the fourth most common cancer in men and women. If you catch colorectal cancer early, it’s much easier to treat. Regular screenings, including colonoscopies, give you a better chance of catching cancer in its first stages.
If you have an average risk of colon or rectal cancer, you need a colonoscopy every 10 years, starting at age 45. If you have a higher-than-average risk of colorectal cancer, you may need colorectal cancer tests more often, and you may need to begin testing at an earlier age.
You’re at high risk if you have:
Let your doctor know right away if you notice certain colorectal cancer symptoms, including:
Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy to find the reason for your symptoms.
Your colonoscopy preparation starts the day and night before your screening.
A few days before the screening, adjust your diet. Avoid foods high in fiber like whole grains, nuts, seeds and raw fruits and vegetables. The day before your colonoscopy, you'll only be allowed to drink clear liquids, like water, broth, clear juices, gelatin and popsicles without any red or purple coloring.
The day before you’ll also do a colon cleanse to make sure your colon is empty. This way, the doctor can see everything clearly in your colon. Your doctor will also prescribe a colon cleanse beverage and anti-gas medication along with fasting. The drink often comes in fruity flavors. You will likely have to drink a lot of it to completely clear out your colon. The drink will make you have frequent, loose bowel movements. This is an important step. If you don’t follow through on drinking the drink, the doctor won’t be able to do the colonoscopy, and you’ll have to start over.
Some providers suggest putting it in the refrigerator. Drinking it cold may make it more pleasant to drink.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes, and complications and risks are low.
First, you are sedated. Many people describe it as the best nap they have ever had. Next, the doctor will perform the colonoscopy. Because you will be sedated, you will need someone to go with you to drive home.
You will wake up in the recovery room. After a short observation and recovery from the sedative, you can eat and go about your day.
Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to get a lifesaving colonoscopy screening at OSF HealthCare. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.